Stook invertor

ABSTRACT

A TRAINGULAR STOCK INVERTOR PICKING UP A STOCK CONSISTING OF A PLURALITY OF BALES IN TRIANGULAR FORMATION, AND THE INVERTOR OF TURNS OF STOCK UPSIDE DOWN SO THAT IT WILL NEST BETWEEN TWO ADJACENT, NORMALLY POSITIONED STOOKS THUS ENABLING A RELATIVELY LARGE STOCK TO BE BUILT.

Feb. 13,1973 F. R. SMITH 3,716,175

STOOK INVERTOR Filed Feb. 3, 1971 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 13, 1973 F. R. SMITH 3,716,175

STOQK INVERTOR Filed Feb. 5, 1971 3 Sheets-Sheet, 3

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Feb. 13, 1973 F, R. SMI H 3,716,175

' STOOK INVER'IOR Filed Feb. 5, 1971 I r 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent 3,716,175 STOOK INVERTOR Floyd Reed Smith, P.0. Box 154, Hillspring, Alberta, (Ianada Filed Feb. 3, 1971, Ser. No. 112,281

Int. Ci. 365g 7/00 U.S. Cl. 214-768 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A triangular stook invertor picking up a stook consisting ofa plurality of bales in triangular formation, and the invertor of turns of stook upside down so that it will nest between two adjacent, normally positioned stooks thus enabling a relatively large stock to be built.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in stock invertor devices.

It is conventional to stack bales of hay in the form of a substantially rectangular stook, said stook containing six, ten or fifteen bales with the ground engaging bales being tipped on edge for air circulation purposes.

It is often desirable to build these stooks up into a relatively large stack, but unless entire stooks can be reversed and nested upside down between adjacent stoo-ks, the size of the stack is severely limited.

The device hereinafter to be described is adapted to pick up a stook of bales in total, move it to a location between adjacent stooks and then reverse the entire stock so that it can be nested upside down between the sloping sides of the adjacent stooks.

The principal object and essence of the invention is therefore to provide a device of the character herewithin described which enables a stook of bales to be picked up, moved to the desired location, and then reversed, if desired.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which utilizes a weight of the stock within the device to rotate it to the inverted position thus simplifying the mechanism considerably.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which, because it utilizes gravity to invert the stook, is more rapid in operation than a fully powered operating device.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which is simple in construction, economical in manufacture, and otherwise well suited to the purpose for which it is de signed.

With the considerations and inventive objects herein set forth in view, and such other or further purposes, advantages or novel features as may become apparent from consideration of this disclosure and specification, the present invention consists of the inventive concept which is comprised, embodied, embraced or included in the method, process, construction, composition, arrangement or combination of parts, or new use of any of the foregoing, herein exemplified in one or more specific embodiments of such concept, reference being had to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a rear elevation of the stationary component 3,716,175 Patented Feb. 13, 1973 FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the lock pin assemblies.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view substantially along the lines 7--7 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged partially sectioned fragmentary view substantially along the line 8-8 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing the build up of stooks to make a stack.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of one design of hydraulics which may be utilized with this device.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

Proceeding therefore to describe the invention in detail, reference character 10 illustrates generally a stationary component consisting of a horizontal beam 11, a vertical support 12 extending upwardly therefrom and a pair of diagonal braces 13 extending between the upper end of the vertical support and the ends of the main beam 11.

Means are provided to attach this stationary component to a front end loader or the like and take the form of two pairs of lugs 14 secured to the rear side of the main beam 11 within which may engage the ends 15 of a pair of arms (one only of which is shown) of a front end loader or the like, it being understood that said arms are capable of raising and lowering and are operated from the front end loader or tractor as the case may be. The ends of the arms 15 are attached between the lugs 14 by means of pivot pins 16 and a pair of hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies 17 extend between the arms 15 and a lug 18 extending upwardly upon each side of the main beam. Here again pivot pins 19 connect the ends of the piston rods to the lug 18. A four-way valve (shown schematically in FIG. 10) is identified by reference character 20 and is operatively connected to a hydraulic pump 21. Hydraulic lines 22 and 23 enable the fluid to be routed to either side of the pistons within the piston and cylinder assembly 17 so that the stationary component may be tilted forwardly and rearwardly within limits with reference to the arms 15 as well as being raised and lowered by the arms 15.

A movable component collectively designated 24 is substantially triangular in configuration and consists of a substantially horizontal main beam 25, relatively long diagonal side 26 and a relatively short diagonal side 27. A vertical main brace or support 28 extends upwardly from intermediate the ends of the main beam 25 and is welded or otherwise secured to the diagonal side 26 spaced from the apex 29 of the triangular configuration formed by members 25, 26 and 27. Diagonal braces 30 extend between the main beam and the vertical support 28 and vertical members or braces 31 extend between the diagonals 30 and members 26 and 27 as clearly shown in FIG. 2.

Bale side engaging tines 32 extend forwardly from one side 33 of the movable member and further bale side engaging tines 33 extend forwardly from side 33, and from the members 26 and 27. The tines 32 are heavy-duty as they take the weight of the entire stook during transportation as will hereinafter be described.

A horizontally situated pivot 34 extends through the vertical support 12 of the stationary component 10 and the front component 24 is secured to the front end of this pivot. A crank arm 35 is secured to the rear end of pivot pin 34 and an hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly 36 is operatievly connected between the distal end of the crank arm 35 and a stationary pivot point 37 on the vertical support 12 as shown in FIG. 1.

It will be observed that the configuration of the movable components 24 is such that it is offset with respect to the pivot 34 when in the normal position shown in FIG.

2 so that gravity will cause the movable component to swing downwardly to the position shown in FIG. 3 when the movable component is unlocked from the stationary component.

Means are provided to selectively and detachably lock the movable component in the normal position shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 and take the form of a first lock pin 38 journalled for endwise movement within a sleeve 39 welded to the side of the vertical support 12 of the stationary component. A release lever 40 is pivoted by one end to a pivot post 41 on the side of member 12 and a pivot 42 connects the lever 40 intermediate the ends thereof to the upper end of pin 38.

A tension spring 43 extends between the lever 40 and sleeve 39 and normally maintains pin 38 in the extended position.

A cable 4 extends from the other end 45 of the lever to adjacent the operators position on the fork lift device (not illustrated) so that he may raise the lever thus withdrawing the pin 38 from the movable member 24.

In this regard, an apertured ramp 46 is secured to one side of the vertical member 28 and when the movable component is in the normal position, the pin 38 engages the aperture 47 within this aperture ramp.

It will therefore be appreciated that when the pin 38 is withdrawn, gravity will cause the movable component to swing downwardly in the direction of arrow 48, to the position shown in FIG. 3.

Means are provided to retain the movable components 24 in the inverted position until it is desired to return it to the normal position and in this connection, reference should be made to FIG. 8.

A second lock pin 49 is mounted within a sleeve 50 secured to one side of the main beam 11 of the stationary component and a tension spring 51 reacting between the end 52 of the pin and the sleeve 50 normally maintains the pin in the extended position shown. A detent ramp 53 is secured to a cross member 54 which extends between a pair of members or braces 31 upon the movable component and as the component rotates to the position shown in FIG. 3, pin 49 rides up ramp 53 and the momentum of the movable component causes the ramp to pass the pin so that when it settles back to the position shown in FIG. 3, the pin engages the vertical detent portion 54 of the ramp 53.

In operation, the device is normally in the position shown in FIG. 4.

It is moved to a stook of bales and is lowered to the ground so that when the device is moved forwardly, the tines 32 engages the corners 55 of the ground engaging bales of one stook specifically designated 56A.

The tines 33' on the members 26 and 27 engage the sides of the bales forming the stook 56A thus retaining the bales in the stook position when the arms 15 are raised to lift the entire assembly clear of the ground. The front end loader or the like is then moved to where it is desired to build the stack and the first stook 56A is lowered to the ground and the machine or device is withdrawn thus leaving it in the position shown in FIG. 9.

A second stook 56B is placed adjacent stook 56A and, if desired, further stooks 560 may also be positioned as illustrated. It should also be appreciated that although the individual stooks consist of a thickness of one bale, nevertheless four or five stooks can be placed one behind the other in positions 56A, 56B, 56C, etc.

When the next stook 57A is picked up by the device, it is raised clear of the ground whereupon the first lock pin 38 is withdrawn by lifting lever 40.

This causes gravity to rotate the movable component to the position shown in FIG. 3 thus inverting the stook. In this connection, a valve 58 is positioned so that the piston and cylinder assembly 36 is unloaded and any oil behind the piston is discharged into reservoir 59 so that this piston and cylinder assembly does not act as any resistance to the rotational action. When the movable device reaches the position shown in FIG. 3, it is locked in position by means of the detent ramp 54 and second lock pin 49 as hereinbefore described. The device is then moved into position so that stook 57A can be placed upside down between adjacent stooks 56A and 56B. A further inverted stook 57B is then placed between stooks 56B and 56C and two more normal stooks 56D and 56B are then positioned on top of these stooks 57A and 57B followed by a further inverted stooks 57C and an upper stook 56F.

It will of course be appreciated that the stack can be extended at will within the lifting or elevational limits of the fork end loader or the like.

When the inverted stook has been unloaded from the movable component, valve 58 is actuated so that hydraulic fluid withdraws the piston rod of the piston and cylinder assembly 36 thus causing the crank arm together with movable component to rotate through in the same direction as arrow 48, until it reaches the normal position whereupon the first lock pin 38 rides up ramp 46 and engages aperture 47 thus locking it in position until it is required once again to invert a stook.

Additional ramp 47A extending upon the other side of vertical member 28 allows the lock pins to pass thereover during the rotational movement of the component 24 through the entire 360 range.

Various modifications can be made within the scope of the inventive concept which is herein disclosed and/or claimed.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A device for inverting a stook adapted to be used with a fork loader or the like, said stook comprising a plurality of bales nested together to form a triangle whereby said stook may be nested upside down between a pair of adjacent normally positioned stooks; said device comprising in combination a stationary component and a movable component journalled to said stationary component for rotation in a substantially vertical plane, said movable component including a substantially triangular frame and bale side engaging tines extending at right angles from one side of said frame, means mounting said movable component to said stationary component as aforesaid, said means including a pivot extending from said stationary component and engaging said movable component whereby said movable component is offset when in the normal position, means to selectively and detachably lock said movable component in the normal position against gravitational rotation to the inverted position, means to retain said movable component in the inverted position and means to rotate said movable component from the inverted position to the normal position, said means to return said component to the normal position including a crank arm secured to the rear end of said pivot, and piston and cylinder means operatively connected between said crank arm and said stationary component, to rotate said movable component through substantially 180 from the inverted position to the normal position.

2. The device according to claim 1 in which said means to selectively and detachably lock said movable component in the normal position including a first spring loaded lock pin on said stationary component and means on said movable component engageable by said lock pin when said movable component is in the normal position, said last mentioned means including an apertured ramp engageable by said lock pin as said movable component approaches the normal position whereby said pin is ramped inwardly and then engages the aperture in said ramp, and lever means connected to said lock pin to selectively disengage said lock pin from said apertured ramp.

3. A device for inverting a stook adapted to be used with a fork loader or the like, said stook comprising a plurality of bales nested together to form a triangle whereby said stook may be nested upside down between a pair of adjacent normally positioned stooks; said device comprising in combination a stationary component and a movable component journalled to said stationary component for rotation in a substantially vertical plane, said movable component including a substantially triangular frame and bale side engaging tines extending at right angles from one side of said frame, means mounting said movable component to said stationary component as aforesaid, said means including a pivot extending from said stationary component and engaging said movable component whereby said movable component is offset when in the normal position, means to selectively and detachably lock said movable component in the normal position against gravitational rotation to the inverted position, means to retain said movable component in the inverted position and means to rotate said movable component from the inverted position to the normal position, said means to retain said movable component in the inverted position comprising a second spring loaded lock pin on said stationary component and a detent ramp on said movable component, said detent ramp withdrawing said lock pin as said movable component passes through the inverted position thereby preventing said movable component from reversing direction.

4. The device according to claim 3 in which said means to selectively and detachably lock said movable component in the normal position including a first spring loaded lock pin on said stationary component and means on said movable component engageable by said lock pin when said movable component is in the normal position, said last mentioned means including an apertured ramp engageable by said lock pin as said movable component approaches the normal position whereby said pin is ramped inwardly and then engages the aperture in said ramp, and lever means connected to said lock pin to selectively disengage said lock pin from said apertured ramp.

5. A device for inverting a stook adapted to be used with a fork loader or the like, said stook comprising a plurality of bales nested together to form a triangle whereby said stook may be nested upside down between a pair of adjacent normally positioned stooks; said device comprising in combination a stationary component and a movable component journalled to said stationary component for rotation in a substantially vertical plane, said movable component including a substantially triangular frame and bale side engaging tines extending at right angles from one side of said frame, means mounting said movable component to said stationary component as aforesaid, said means including a pivot extending from said stationary component and engaging said movable component whereby said movable component is offset when in the normal position, means to selectively and detachably lock said movable component in the normal postion against gravitational rotation to the inverted position, means to retain said movable component in the inverted position and means to rotate said movable component from the inverted position to the normal position, said means to selectively and detachably lock said movable component in the normal position including a first spring loaded lock pin on said stationary component and means on said movable component engageable by said lock pin when said movable component is in the normal position, said last mentioned means including an apertured ramp engageable by said lock pin as said movable component approaches the normal position whereby said pin is ramped inwardly and then engages the aperture in said ramp, and lever means connected to said lock pin to selectively disengage said lock pin from said apertured ramp, in which said means to retain said movable component in the inverted position comprising a second spring loaded lock pin on said stationary component and a detent ramp on said movable component, said detent ramp withdrawing said lock pin as said movable component passes through the inverted position thereby preventing said movable component from reversing direction.

'6. The device according to claim 5 in which said means to return said component to the normal position including a crank arm secured to the rear end of said pivot, and piston and cylinder means operatively connected between said crank arm and said stationary component, to rotate said movable component through substantially from the inverted position to the normal position.

7. In combination with a fork lift device or the like which includes a pair of arms extending therefrom which can be raised and lowered, a device for inverting a stook, said stook comprising a plurality of bales nested together to form a triangle whereby said stook may be nested upside down between a pair of adjacent, normally positioned stooks, said device including a stationary component pivotally secured to the ends of said arms, piston and cylinder means operatively connected between said arms and said stationary components for tilting said device forwardly and rearwardly within limits, and a movable component journalled to said stationary component for rotation in a substantially vertical plane, said movable component including a substantially rectangular frame and bale side engaging tines extending at right angles from one side of said frame, means mounting said movable component to said stationary component as aforesaid, said means including a pivot extending from said stationary component and engaging said movable component whereby said movable component is off-center when in the normal position, means to selectively and detachably lock said movable component in the normal position against gravitational rotation to the inverted position and means to rotate said movable component from the inverted position back to the normal position, said means to return said component to the normal position including a crank arm secured to the rear end of said pivot, and piston and cylinder means operatively connected between said crank arm and said stationary component, to rotate said movable component through substantially 180 from the inverted position to the normal position.

8. The invention according to claim 7 in which said means to selectively and detachably lock said movable component in the normal position including a first spring loaded lock pin on said stationary component and means on said movable component engageable by said lock pin when said movable component is in the normal position, said last mentioned means including an apertured ramp engageable by said lock pin as said movable component approaches the normal position whereby said pin is ramped inwardly and then engages the aperture in said ramp, and lever means connected to said lock pin to selectively disengage said lock pin from said apertured ramp.

9. In combination with a fork lift device or the like which includes a pair of arms extending therefrom which can be raised and lowered, a device for inverting a stook, said stook comprising a plurality of bales nested together to form a triangle whereby said stock may be nested upside down between a pair of adjacent, normally positioned stooks, said device including a stationary component pivotally secured to the ends of said arms, piston and cylinder means operatively connected between said arms and said stationary component for tilting said device forwardly and rearwardly within limits, and a movable component journalled to said stationary component for rotation in a substantially vertical plane, said movable component including a substantially rectangular frame and bale side engaging tines extending at right angles from one side of said frame, means mounting said movable component to said stationary component as aforesaid, said means including a pivot extending fromsaid stationary component and engaging said movable component whereby said movable component is ofi-center when in the normal position, means to selectively and detachably lock said movable component in the normal position against gravitational rotation to the inverted position, means to retain said movable component in the inverted position and means to rotate said movable component from the inverted position back to the normal position, said means to retain said movable component in the inverted position comprising a second spring loaded lock pin on said stationary component and a detent ramp on said movable component, said detent ramp withdrawing said lock pin as said movable component passes through the inverted position thereby preventing said movable component from reversing direction.

10. The invention according to claim 9 in which said means to selectively and detachably lock said movable component in the normal position including a first spring loaded lock pin on said stationary component and means on said movable component engageable by said lock pin when said movable "component is in the normal position, said last mentioned means including an apertured ramp engageable by said lock pin as said movable component approaches the normal position whereby said pin is ramped inwardly and then engages the aperture in said ramp, and lever means connected to said lock pin to selectively disengage said lock pin from said apertured ramp.

11. In combination with a fork lift device or the like which includes a pair of arms extending therefrom which can be raised and lowered, a device for inverting a stook, said stook comprising a plurality of bales nested together to form a triangle whereby said stock may be nested upside down between a pair of adjacent, normally positioned stooks, said device including a stationary component pivotally secured to the ends of said arms, piston and cylinder means operatively connected between said arms and said stationary component for tilting said device forwardly and rearwardly within limits, and a movable component journalled to said stationary component for rotation in a substantially vertical plane, said movable component including a substantially rectangular frame and bale side engaging tines extending at right angles from one side of said frame, means mounting said movable component to said stationary component as aforesaid, said means including a pivot extending from said stationary component and engaging said movable component whereby said movable component is off-center when in the normal position, means to selectively and detachably lock said movable component in the normal position against gravitational rotation to the inverted position, means to retain said movable component in the inverted position and means to rotate said movable component from the inverted position back to the normal position, said means to selectively and detachably lock said movable component in the normal position including a first spring loaded lock pin on said stationary component and means on said movable component engageable by said lock pin when said movable component is in the normal position, said last mentioned means including an apertured ramp engageable by said lock pin as said movable component approaches the normal position whereby said pin is ramped inwardly and then engages the aperture in said ramp, and lever means connected to said lock pin to selectively disengage said lock pin from said apertured ramp, said means to retain said movable component in the inverted position comprising a second spring loaded lock pin on said stationary component and a detent ramp on said movable component, said detent ramp withdrawing said lock pin as said movable component passes through the inverted position thereby preventing said movable component from reversing direction.

12. The invention according to claim 11 in which said means to return said component to the normal position including a crank arm secured to the rear end of said pivot, and piston and cylinder means operatively connected between said crank arm and said stationary component, to rotate said movable component through substantially from the inverted position to the normal position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,493,134 2/1970 Ahrens 2146 B X 2,468,326 4/1949 Gleason 2141 Q X 3,456,823 7/1969 Martelee 2141 Q X GERALD M. FORLENZA, Primary Examiner F. E. WERNER, Assistant Examiner U.S. C1. X.R. 214--1 Q, 6.5 

